Health Canada is seeking comments on a draft "Guidance on the Application of Human Factors to Consumer Products" which was developed by Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In the document, the regulators provide recommendations to help consumer product manufacturers integrate human factor principles (focusing on how people interact with consumer products) into the product development process in order to improve the usability and reduce hazards associated with consumer products. The draft guidance states:
Many product-related injuries can be prevented by better user-centered design. Providing the consumer product industry with general human factors principles and guidance, and how these principles can be applied to their products, can help reduce product-related incidents and reduce costly compliance and enforcement actions.
The draft guidance document is not a rule and does not establish legally enforceable responsibilities.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
